Mazatlan Spring Break Destination Advice & Info

Often called the Pearl of the Pacific, Mazatlan is located on the West Coast of Mexico north of Puerto Vallarta. Since Mazatlan is a newer spring break destination, its numbers continue to climb each year. It's a great place to go if you want a little bit of culture mixed in with the delirium!

Maz has the best waves of any spring break destination from the Pacific Ocean, some of the best seafood in the world, and dirt-cheap fun in the sun! Your Peso will go way farther here than any other destination, and this place is a superb value! If you like your cerveza, Maz is definitely for you.

Senor Frogs, the Coliseo, and Fiestaland with Bora Bora are home to some of the wildest beach front clubs & bars in the world. The newest club down there is called Sumbawa, and it's a swanky beach/club/lounge right next to the new Bora Bora. You'll love it! One of the coolest things about Maz is that almost everything is in walking distance, and it's a very easy place to meet & socialize.

The weather? Well, it hasn't rained there in March since the 60's!

Inertia Hotels are "party friendly" and ready to show you the time of your life.

Inquire whether they are members of the Better Business Bureau.

1. You can check them out by going to their website, figuring out what state they are incorporated in (their mailing address) and then going to the Better Business Bureau's website and doing a search on them. You’re looking for a clean or satisfactory report. By the way: it doesn’t mean all that much… but it’s far better than traveling with a tour company or travel agent that has an unsatisfactory report, right?
2. Avoid or beware of any claims of "Zero Complaints" with the BBB. The BBB doesn't rate companies as having "Zero Complaints". Businesses get either a satisfactory or unsatisfactory rating.
3. Another key accreditation (there are about 20 you can look at) is the ASTA, or American Society of Travel Agents. They have a code of ethics that their members must follow.
4. Watch the accreditations. There are about 20 that a company can obtain. Really, you just pay a fee, and you’re in. That’s not really the best way to determine if they are good or not.
5. If you are booking with a travel agent, check ASTA, but also: ask them whom they are using for their tour company. Check BOTH out.

1. Sniff ’em out. Get a friend and call the company’s office at the same time. Find out what happens when you do. Are they using call waiting (might be a home office), or do they have a professional phone system, where they can put you on hold? This matters, because it indicates financial stability and is good sign that they can provide you a good trip.
2. Ask questions. Ask a lot. Ask about clubs, parties, is your hotel guaranteed, etc. If your questions are answered fluidly without problem, that’s a good thing… but if they are stumbling around, they might be rookies.

• Round Trip Airfare or Party Bus
• 7 nights hotel/condo accommodations
• 14 meals included
• 7-50 Included Hours of Cocktail Parties
• Free Spring Break Survival Kit (SPI Only)
• Free Spring Break T-Shirt
• 0% Trip Financing with low deposit
• Exclusive VIP party entrances
• Airport/Hotel Transfers (air inclusive vacations only)
• Welcome Orientation
• Free Welcome Party
• All Hotel Taxes
• Exclusive Discounts with Inertia Tours
• Daily Hospitality and Activity Desk
• 24-Hour Destination Travel Staff
• 100% Best Price Guarantee
• Online Payment and Account Status Available
• Available Optional Trip Cancellation Insurance
• Optional Event Package Available
• Exclusive Events and Discounts

Mazatlan Rocks because:

• It's dirt cheap. We offer RT motorcoach programs for $4-$500 per person with hotel & meals. Onsite, you'll spend less here than any other spring break destination hands down.
• The weather. Since Mazatlan is actually butted up to the Sierra Madre Mountain Range, it's in a desert & very dry. It hasn't rained more than about 10 days in March there from the present day back to about 1970! It's about 80 during the day, and a pleasant 71 or 72 at night.
• No obnoxious tipping. A $1 per drink tip is huge there.
• Served super fast at the bars.
• Almost all midwest people. It's a lot more friendly than any other destination for spring break.
• Everything is close together. The "Golden Zone" is only 3 miles long, and we're always amused when someone says "best location!!!!" about their hotel, because it's one of the few destinations that it's not that important.
• The food! Mazatlan is the shrimping capital of the world. If you like seafood, it's simply world-class here, and DIRT CHEAP as well.
• It's a relatively exotic destination. Yeah, they have a Subway, McDonald's, Dairy Queen, and Burger King, but that's IT! The rest isn't at all "Americanized" - lots of true Mexican culture there.

Mucho Maz sucks cuz:

• It's only cheap trip package wise from the Midwest. The east or west coast, forget it, it's too expensive.
• Lack of people. Other than peak week (Texas week, 2nd week of March) it's kinda dead.
• If you're not into Seafood, the food there is horrible.
• The hotels. They are mostly of "Tourist Class," which is a name for Europeans that don't mind shitty assed hotel rooms. EXCEPTION: El Cid Mega Resort has the best mother f'n' pool in the world...over 3 acres. It puts Cancun & Aca to shame!

Girl to Guy Ratio:

50% girls
50% guys

Maz is one of the few places that your location doesn't matter at all. Anyone who tells you different is smoking rocks. Big Rocks, too. It's small there, we have experience there. Sure, there are more students staying at the Riviera Hotel than anywhere else. But, the rooms are horse shit in our opinion. (Sorry about the naughty language here)

Really quick, we'll recommend a few. This list is NOT exhaustive but based on location, and being on spring or grad break, these are where to stay: (if you're not a spring breaker, avoid these!)

Have your passport. You gotta have one now. This process to get through customs will take about 30 minutes, so be mentally prepared for this. Bags take forever to come out as well, allow about another 30 minutes for that, then tack on another 30 minutes for everyone to load the bus. Finally, it will take about 30 minutes to get to your hotel, and another 30 minutes for check in.

In other words, from the moment you step off of the plane, to the moment that you set your bags on your bed in your room at your hotel, it will take 2.5 hours, give or take a few. Being prepared to be patient will make you and your group have a much better start to their vacation.

Buy one. Buy the best one offered. While laying out $120-$150 right away sucks, these packages are time-tested and a good value. We don't care if you're traveling with us or not, you should buy one no matter what.

Also, once you do, don't think that you're done spending money, because you are on vaca. But Maz is cheap, no worries.

Guys:  Bring a minimum of $250 USD or don't go.
Girls:   Bring a minimum of $200 USD or don't go.

Yeah, we'd bring more...but you CAN get by with just this much here!

Hopefully, your vacation package includes this. All Inertia Tours packages to Mazatlan include round trip transfers through our travel affiliate partners - don't buy it. If you're confused where to go, ask ANY American staff Member from a spring break tour company, and they can assist you. The staff will have on bright shirts, with staff badges on.

Some properties need a credit card open, or a cash deposit to insure against any damages. It's important to just keep all of your receipts, this is Mexico after all.

Remember, tipping the bell captain/boy is a must here. Not doing so can result in later theft from your room! $1 USD per person is fine.

Inquire at check in about safety deposit boxes. You'll probably be required to put down a cash deposit for the key to the box, but use it for your passports/birth certificates/drivers licenses AND TOURIST VISAS (you won't need these again until you leave...as well as any cash or travelers checks you have.

Carry no more than $60 USD at a time. You can change your money at the Casas de Cambio located up and down the strip - avoid changing money at the hotel. Funny thing is, you can get the BEST exchange rate by using your ATM card - there is no fee to do so either, REGARDLESS of where you bank! Also, Senor Frogs & Carlos n' Charlies give kick ass exchange rates too.

QUICK TIP: Write down on a small piece of paper PROPINA and put it under clear ash tray by the phone. Propina means "Tip" in Mexico, you might as well get used to this fast. $2 USD per day per room is an ABSOLUTE MUST, it will a.) make your room super clean b.) facilitate you getting extra towels, called Toyas (spelled here as you would speak it) - it means towels. And c.) the maids not railing all of your stuff in your room while you are away! People who don't tip can get robbed! Think about it...if you guys are tipping, and the other rooms are not, who's shit are going to rail, yours, or theirs? That's an easy one. Mexicans are generally very honest, but if theft is problematic at the lower, non-American hotel chains.

While we understand your need for a "romantic" spring break walk at night, just say no, because... if you happened to be boinking on the beach at night, the locals can a.) rob you b.) rape you or c.) the damn hotel security will threaten to take you to jail (they can't by the way, the beach IS federal property, not the hotels, but anyway)...so...you're naked, the locals take your clothes (which might have your money in it) and off they go. So, stay off of it at night.

Stay in groups. Be realistic. People hook up on spring break, it happens (wow, are you surprised), just have one person you are with as a buddy that knows where you are going. We know people lie because they don't want others to know that they are hooking up, but seriously, just have one person that you trust to tell. If you ARE the buddy, don't make moral judgements that might cause your hooking up friend to lie to you. However, if someone is so intoxicated that they don't know what's up, help them please.

Are expensive. Expect about 50 Pesos or $6.00 USD per way. They are open air golf carts called Pulmonias, and have pimp rims and systems in them. The better the system bumps, the more you'll pay! Girls, DO NOT TAKE CABS ALONE under any circumstances.

Geography

Mexico is the third largest nation in Latin America (after Brazil and Argentina) covering 1,972,550 square kilometers. The country has a wide variety of terrain, from high rugged mountains and low coastal plains, to rainforests, high plateaus and desert. Various massive mountain ranges include the Sierra Madre Occidental in the west, the Sierra Madre Oriental in the east, the Cordillera Neovolcanica in the center and the Sierra Madre del Sur in the south. Lowlands are largely along the coasts and the Yucatan Peninsula. The interior country is high plateau. There are many rivers in Mexico, though few are navigable. Most are short and run from the mountain ranges to the coast. Mazatlan is located on the west coast of Mexico, on the edge of the Sierra madre mountain range., approximately 12 hours south of Scottsdale, Arizona on the Pacific Ocean.

Money

The official currency of Mexico is the Mexican Peso. The rate of exchange against the US dollar fluctuates daily. Most hotels have a currency exchange desk, but you will get the best rates at banks and exchange houses. Mexican banks are generally open from 9am to 2:30pm weekdays. Exchange houses are open longer and provide faster service. Banks will give cash advances in pesos, for a fee, if you have a major credit card. Most restaurants, bars and shops accept major credit cards. You may want to notify your credit card company in advance to be sure you are set up to access your card outside the country. ATM machines are available and most bank cards with Cirrus or Visa/Mastercard status can be used; check with your bank before you leave to be sure. Keep in mind the machines will dispense Mexican Pesos, not U.S. Dollars.

Language

Language - Spanish is the official language of Mexico, spoken by nearly all. About 8% of the population speaks an indigenous language; most of these people speak Spanish as a second language. Knowledge of the English language is increasing rapidly, especially among business people, the middle class, returned emigrants, and the young. In major travel destinations, such as Acapulco, English is spoken in most shops, restaurants, and public places.

Documents

U.S. Citizens may use one of the following for entry into Mexico:

• Valid Passport: This is the most recommended document - secure and convenient.
• Birth Certificate: (hospital certificate is not acceptable). A birth certificate must include your given name and surname, date and place of birth, date the birth record was filed, and seal or other certification of the official custodian of such records (usually the Department of Health Services in the city where you were born) along with a valid, state-issued photo ID. Very strict regulations govern international travel by minors into Mexico. Every minor must have a tourist card, proof of citizenship and sometimes other documents listed below.
• Minors travelling with both legal parents or guardians: nothing else is needed.
• Minors travelling unaccompanied or with anyone other than their legal parents or guardians: they must obtain an original notarised letter of permission signed by both parents. (Airlines will also require the name, address and phone of the person meeting the unaccompanied minor upon arrival in Mexico.)
• Minors travelling with only one parent: must have notarised written permission from the other parent. In the case of deceased or divorced parents: legal proof must be carried to accept just one signature on the letter. This proof (death certificate, proof of sole custody etc.) can also be shown to a notary who can then notarise an Affidavit of Sole Custody form.

Non-US citizens should contact a Mexico Tourist office for more information.

Time Zone

Mazatlan is on Mountain Standard Time, changing accordingly with the Daylight savings time.

Transportation

Government certified taxis have a license with a photo of the driver and a taxi number prominently displayed. Most of them have a meter, although, more often than not, it is broken. Always choose your taxi, don't let the taxi choose you. Never share a taxi with strangers nor allow the driver to pick up additional passengers. Agree upon a price before you get into the taxi. Many drivers will ask you what you want to pay to get a sense of how street-smart you are. The doorman or front desk personnel at your hotel can help you with acceptable fares. In Mazatlan, the pulmonia, or souped up golf carts, are the way tourist get around. Make sure you negotiate the price before you enter the cab!

Weather

Some like it HOT! During the day, temperatures range from the mid to high 80s, but the light ocean breeze makes the climate quite enjoyable. A message to those who worship the sun - WEAR THAT SUNSCREEN! The evening weather is a bit cool; it's nature's way of keeping the hot clubs from catching fire! Rain is very rare for the spring break season!

Dress Code

Mazatlan clubs are casual, beach attire is the norm.

Electrical System

No worries, your blow dryers and clothes irons will work without adapters.

Tipping

Every dollar counts when you are a college student, but please don't forget to tip the people who are good to you: bartenders, waitresses, maids, bellboys.

Phone Calls

Collect phone calls to home are very expensive. The best way to call home is to purchase a Telmex calling card when you arrive. These cards are available at any convenience store or hotel shop; 30 pesos for 3 minutes; 50 pesos for 5 minutes; 100 pesos for 10 minutes. The cards can be used at the white Telmex pay phones by inserting the card. There is a language button on the phone that will allow you to receive instructions in English. If you are going to place a collect call, it is wise to check with the hotel operator before you call to verify what the charges will be. Calls made from the hotel can cost around $40 US for just a few minutes, so it is best to call people in the states from a pay phone and five them your number in Mexico. It is less expensive to call Mexico from the US. It's also best to have the hotel turn off your long distance priviledges so that you know that your hotel phone bill will not incur an unexpected charge at the end of the week. The cheapest and easiest way to contact home is by email. Ask your Inertia representative on location for the closest CyberCafe or Internet service provider. Or, use the number located on your Inertia wristband, it offers a discount.

Prescription Drugs

Keep all medication with you at all times. Do not put it in with your checked luggage and keep it in the prescription bottle.

Vendors/Locals

Most stores are open from 10am to 10pm Monday thru Saturday. Some stores may close between 2pm and 4pm for the traditional siesta. Many convenience stores, including Wal-Mart stay open 24 hours as well. If you are bargain shopping, and you don't mind "haggling" for the best price, you will want to visit the Mexican Flea Markets. Be prepared to be bombarded, the locals will try to persuade you to look and buy their wares. Don't ever pay the first price they give you - They will try to rip you off! Bargain with the salesperson to get your best price.

Government

Mexico has a chief executive (president), a bicameral legislature, a judicial system with a Supreme Court, local and federal courts, and an administrative subdivision of 31 states and one federal district.